B-spline R-matrix with pseudostates calculations for electron-impact excitation and ionization of aluminum*

A systematic study of angle-integrated cross sections for electron scattering from neutral aluminum is reported. The calculations, carried out with our \hbox{B-spline} R-matrix with Pseudo-States (BSRMPS) method [1,2], cover elastic scattering, ionization, and excitation of the 14~states $(3s^2np)^2P^o$ $(n = 3-6)$, $(3s^2ns)^2S$ $(n = 4-6)$, $(3s^2nd)^2D$ $(n = 3,4)$, $(3s3p^2) ^{4,2}P,\;^2D,\;^2S$, and $(3s^24f)^2F^o$ of aluminum. The sensitivity of the predictions is checked by comparing results obtained in different approximations, including a large-scale model with over 500 continuum pseudo-states in the close-coupling expansion. The current results represent an extensive, effectively complete, and highly accurate (believed to be within a few percent) set of electron collision data for neutral aluminum, which is readily suitable for modelling applications.\\[4pt] [1] O.\ Zatsarinny, Comp. Phys. Commun.~{\bf 174} (2006) 273.\\[0pt] [2] O.\ Zatsarinny and K.\ Bartschat, J.\ Phys.\ B {\bf 47} (2014) 061001.